Pharmacokinetics and placental transmission of fazadinium in elective caesarean sections

Abstract

The pharmacokinetics and placental transmission of fazadinium (0.75-0.80 mg kg-1) were studied in seven pregnant women undergoing elective caesarean section. Plasma levels of the drug were determined by a spectrofluorimetric method and pharmacokinetics were derived according to a 2-compartment open model. Distribution and elimination half-lives averaged 0.07 +/- 0.03 (t1/2 alpha) and 1.24 +/- 0.34 (t1/2 beta) h; the volume of distribution was 20.75 +/- 5.81 1, and the plasma clearance was 202.33 +/- 39.2 ml min-1 1.73 m2. The ratio between umbilical venous blood and maternal blood at delivery ranged from 2.57 to 17.5%. Urinary elimination accounted for 37% of the injected dose within 24 h. It is concluded that because of early good intubating conditions and favourable pharmacokinetics with a modest placental passage, fazadinium might be particularly useful in obstetrics.